Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in childhood asthma.

Twenty-five patients with severe childhood asthma were treated with beclomethasone dipropionate. 21 of these children were receiving oral corticosteroid therapy in addition to disodium cromoglycate. Of the total treated, 21 children improved or maintained their asthma status on this treatment over an average period of 4 months, and were able to reduce and stop their regular oral corticosteroid dosage, but 4 children had to revert to their original therapy. No systemic or local toxic effects were experienced by any of the children. Beclomethasone dipropionate appears to be an effective drug in the treatment of severe childhood asthma in those patients who need corticosteroid therapy in addition to disodium cromoglycate.